The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is warning of the possibility of a major outbreak of the mosquito-borne dengue fever.
In a statement yesterday, CARPHA said that the last major regional outbreak of dengue occurred in 2009. Since then, it said that the Region has seen two large outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases, Chikungunya in 2014 and Zika in 2016, which are unlikely to reoccur soon. Disease modelling, however, predicts that another regional outbreak of dengue may occur in the near future, CARPHA said. It said that the outbreak of dengue in Jamaica has elevated the level of concern in other Caribbean islands. CARPHA is therefore advising countries to implement enhanced measures to reduce mosquito breeding and prevent the spread of disease.
Dengue is a flu-like ailment that affects infants, young children and adults. Symptoms usually begin four to ten days after infection, and include a high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and a skin rash. CARPHA said that the illness can result in severe dengue, characterized by potentially deadly complications, such as internal haemorrhaging, intense and continuous abdominal pain or tenderness and persistent vomiting.
CARPHA said that dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases threaten health, tourism, social and economic development, and a collaborative effort is required to reduce the spread of disease. Dengue remains a global health problem and like Zika and Chikungunya, there is no specific treatment. The Aedes aegypti mosquito vector, which spreads dengue, is present in all Caribbean territories.
The measures used for controlling the spread of dengue are the same as those for Zika and Chikungunya, CARPHA said. With the arrival of the rainy season within a few months, mosquito control and awareness activities need to be intensified. Caribbean Ministries of Health are advised to:
Increase health promotion messages to prevent mosquitos biting and breeding
Combine efforts with communities to eliminate mosquito breeding sites
Intensify vector surveillance and control
Disseminate appropriate clinical care and treatment guidelines
The most effective way to avoid becoming ill from viruses spread by mosquitoes is to prevent mosquito bites, the agency said.
“We all need to clean up our surroundings. The two most important things to manage mosquito populations in our Caribbean countries are to manage water storage drums and tanks, and properly dispose of used vehicle tyres to prevent mosquitos breeding,” stated Dr C. James Hospedales, Executive Director of CARPHA.
Actions, the statement said, that can be taken include covering drums and tanks, cleaning the guttering, removing stagnant water sources, such as old tyres, bottles and buckets, and individuals protecting themselves and their family from bites.
It added that Infants, young children, older adults and women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant should take extra precautions to avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, IR 3535, and Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.
